Liverpool are closing in on what might be one of their biggest signings in years in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz
The Bayer Leverkusen sensation has been one of the best players in the world in the last two seasons, with Liverpool now set to sign Wirtz for a club-record fee as the Reds also close in on a deal to bring Jeremie Frimpong to Anfield
With two top targets virtually signed, attention will soon turn to a centre-forward, with Liverpool’s top target for the position being Alexander Isak, who this season has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League with Newcastle United.
However, Manchester United might have just ended Liverpool’s hopes of signing Isak this summer
Alexander Isak could be unattainable for Liverpool as Newcastle secure Champions League qualification
Away from Liverpool’s Premier League title lift, the race for UEFA Champions League football came to an exciting if underwhelming end in the league, with Newcastle United securing fifth spot despite losing at home to Everton, thanks to United’s 2-0 win against 10-men Aston Villa.
As a result of Newcastle finishing in a Champions League spot, the odds of Isak now leaving St. James’ Park this summer have now virtually gone from extremely unlikely to impossible, with the Toon having complete control over what to do with their star attacker for the transfer window.
Given how exciting a signing Wirtz will be for Liverpool, Newcastle missing out on a top-five finish and Isak forcing a move out could have led to the Reds pulling off one of the most bombastic yet daring moves of the entire summer.
However, with United beating Villa, Newcastle’s Champions League dream was accomplished, and Liverpool will now need to look further afield if they’re to bring in a world-class striker to lead the line for next season.
Which strikers should Liverpool target away from Alexander Isak?
Isak would have been a dream signing for Liverpool this summer, yet even had Newcastle missed out on Champions League qualification, the finances of such a deal might have been impossible for the Reds to achieve.
Still, Isak becoming officially unavailable makes things somewhat easier for Liverpool when it comes to signing a new striker, with the Reds now having a list of attacking targets who can be bought for the right price.
Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are both wanted by Liverpool with the Reds clearly interested in a complete-forward archetype who can offer both goals and assists, and this search could become narrowed in the coming weeks once Frimpong and Wirtz are through the door at Anfield.